REVIEW: DANGERDOG MUSIC REVIEWS 2012
by Gekko Projekt on April 9, 2012
4.5/5.0
Gekko Projekt is the union of four musicians with a keen interest in classic progressive rock: Vance Gloster (k), Peter Matuchniak (g), Rick Meadows (b), and Alan Smith (d). The result of this synthesis is their debut album Electric Forest.
Gekko Projekt: in the Electric Forest.
First, Electric Forest is largely an instrumental album, only three songs have vocal parts (Black Hole, Avatar Jones, and October Skies). The music builds, fundamentally, upon simple melodic rock and then traverses from classic prog rock to jazz and rock fusion. You’ll likely to hear echoes of Yes, Genesis, Steve Hackett, but also Weather Report. The fusion scenario is quite notable on Cognitive Dissonance and London Vibe.
All players get their respective parts, yet keyboardist Gloster and guitarist Peter Matuchniak appear to retain the lion’s share of the focus. Nevertheless, the depth of Meadows and Smith is remarkable and easily the constant that propels the band. (Smith built his own drum kit.)
In the end, Electric Forest is simply a well-developed, superbly played, and entertaining album of classic melodic prog rock. Quite recommended.